May 8, 2017

His Wallet

Throughout our lives, we all accumulate things we feel we want, need, or even desire. As we age, the type of "stuff" we surround ourselves with changes...from toys to music to cars and eventually homes. Over time, we fill our homes with all types of items: furniture, clothing, pictures, books, tools. In the end, however, very few of these items remain. A visit to any nursing home or care facility demonstrates this fact easily.

My father was blessed during his life. He not only had a loving family and countless friends, he also worked hard and was able to accumulate many material things during different stages of his life. In the end only two material things remained, tucked safely inside the drawer next to his bed. One was his rosary, the other...his wallet.

My father was rarely without his rosary. When I think of him, it is often with his black, beaded rosary in his hand. The one other item my father treasured was his wallet. He kept it near, and often asked where it was. When I visited him in the Memory Support Unit, I often snuck a few dollars inside. I think it gave him comfort, and made him feel a sense of independence to have that tangible link to his life before the dreadful disease took over.

My mom kept his wallet after he passed, and often carried it in her purse. Eventually, I helped her organize the top drawer in my dad's dresser with special items that held precious memories for her. She kept his wallet there, along with several other things that brought her comfort. About a year ago, I was with my mom organizing her closets, and helping her go through my father's things. When I went to leave, she handed me Dad's wallet. She pressed it in my hand and said she wanted me to have it. I was so very thankful, and assured her I would care for it forever.

I keep my dad's wallet beside my bed, just as he did. Every so often, I take it out, look at his driver's license and insurance cards, and have a good cry. Then I tuck them back inside, comforted by the fact that he lived and smiled and prayed and laughed. He was here, and I have a small piece of him to carry with me always.

I love that he carried this little picture of himself and his dad for all those many years.

24 comments:

  1. I have my dad's glasses and his hats. I understand, I think of him all the time.

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  2. We stumbled across my husband's father's wallet when we were cleaning out the house after his mom's passing in March. We now have that and her wallet tucked away. It was sweet to open it and find pictures of our girls when they were little tucked away inside after all these years inside those old timey plastic photos sleeves!!

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  3. This made me a little teary. How precious that you are the keeper of the wallet.

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  4. Such an honour to become the keeper of something so greatly treasured.

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  5. Billie Jo {{{Keeping you in prayer}}}.

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  6. Oh dear Billie Jo, I am in tears reading your sweet post. I'm so glad your dear mother entrusted you with your dad's wallet. It's a pleasure reading from your heart this afternoon, dear one. ♥

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  7. Hi Billi Jo~

    What a wonderful treasure! This post brought tears to my eyes, I could truly feel the love you and your mom have for your dad, and I could feel the love he has for you as well. Thank you for sharing such a special part of your world . . . :0)

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  8. So so wonderful that you have something of your fathers that was so close to him (physically) all the time. I love that your sweet mother gave it to you.

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  9. What a sweet memory. I'm glad you have it in your possession. It's amazing how one small item can bring so many emotions. Catch a hug, my friend.

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  10. Billie Jo, what a sweet sentimental post. Your dad must be pleased that you treasure his things to this day. {{HUGS}}

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  11. I am happy that you have this special treasure and the memories it brings. :)

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  12. What a treasure you have...sweet memories!!

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  13. I miss him sooo much. This is such a nice post. <3

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  14. What a precious memory you have of your Dad. Thank you for sharing it with us this morning. Hope your day is as sweet as you are!

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  15. This has me tearing up, Billie Jo! What a sweet gift your mom gave you. It's always nice to have something tangible to remind us of the ones we loved the most.

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  16. Such a sweet post. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. He was lucky to be blessed with a daughter like you.

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  17. This made me cry! You have a way of reminding people what really matters in life. <3

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  18. Awe...this was so sweet Billie Jo! The treasures that we hold are priceless! What really matters in life are not things, its the family and friends we get to share it with. I miss my dad every single day and I'm so thankful for the reminders of him daily.
    Thank you for sharing...it was beautiful!

    Hugs & Prayers,
    Amy

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  19. This was so sweet! Thank you for sharing your memories with us. I just had lunch with my father, and feel incredibly blessed to still have him with me. Big ((HUGS)) to you!

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  20. This is so nice Billie Jo. Thank you for sharing something so special and personal to you. I can tell having his wallet gives you such comfort. How wonderful to have such a treasure. It's the little things that mean the most ♥♥♥

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  21. Aww...this made me cry, Billie Jo. My dad has been gone since I was 21 years old and not a day goes by that I don't think of him and miss him...and am sad to think he never got to see his grandkids or to know them. I don't know what happened to most of his things but I do have a couple of things that belonged to him and treasure them.

    I bet that just made your heart hurt when your mom handed you that wallet. Blessings - xo Diana

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  22. What a beautiful post Billie Jo. Thank you for sharing this. It made me cry. Hugs to you. Juli

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  23. What a special treasure. Hugs to you.

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  24. How special! I have my Mom's purse and I love to go through it from time to time.

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo